Antrel Rolle updates injury status

Safety Antrel Rolle met with the media before Tuesday's practice

Q: What happened with your ankle?A: One-on-one drills, got tangled up with the tight end as I went for the pass. It was an unfortunate sprain, I came down on his foot. Actually, I got caught up with his foot before I actually jumped. My foot just kind of rolled up underneath, on both sides. Got me pretty good.

Q: What are they calling it? A grade one, grade two? Are they labeling it?A: No, I just know that it’s a sprain. Like I said, it’s a pretty good sprain. I always said that if I can’t get up and I can’t walk off on my own, then it’s pretty bad. For right now, just from yesterday today, it feels 10 times better. Just rehabbing and doing all the treatments as necessary, just try to push my way back.

Q: When do you think you can get back?A: As soon as possible. There’s no timeframe at the moment but as soon as possible. I’m a hard worker, on the field and off the field. I’m not a fan of injuries, I really hate to even speak about this, but it happens in this game. I’m just going to do the best I can, try to get out there before the preseason’s over with and take it one day at a time.

Q: Is there a possibility that you won’t be ready for the opener?A: Oh no. No, I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure. That’s not even a possibility. Treatment, two times a day, three times a day, four times a day. Whatever it takes, I’m going to do it.

Q: They didn’t tell you if it was a high ankle sprain?A: It’s not a high ankle sprain, that’s for sure. I had a high ankle sprain before and there are no similarities at all. Thank God.

Q: Perry Fewell called you the glue of this defense, the building block, the mortar that holds the foundation together. To know your value to this team, will you have that in mind every time you’re rehabbing, every time you think about getting ready specifically for that Dallas game?A: Absolutely. I hate missing even a practice, being out there with my teammates, with my brothers. This is very hard for me to accept but at the same time, I have to be smart about it. I’m going to push myself because that’s who I am, I push myself in everything I do. I’ll try to get out there with those guys as soon as possible.

Q: Did you think it was something worse initially?A: To be honest with you, I really didn’t know what to expect. I’m not the kind of guy that likes to lay there on the field, no matter what the injury is. I tried to get up and walk off but I just couldn’t do it. Did I think it was worse? Possibly. Just because I heard a couple popping sounds in my ankle but I think it was just part of my ankle rolling and just cracking. Just thank God that it wasn’t something too severe, nothing that I can’t work through with just a little bit of time and hard work.

Q: Are you training the parts of your body that aren’t injured so you can be ready for the first week of the season?A: Yeah, absolutely. I started that last night on my own. Pushups, leg raises, things of that nature. I may not be able to run but I can definitely do other things. I’m going to take that into consideration and do all of the things possible.

Q: You’re training two ways, rehabbing and training to get ready for the season at the same time.A: Yeah, you have to train your mind also. Pay attention to leaders. First thing I did last night when I got home was I got my iPad and I watched the practice, just seeing how the guys looked, seeing how they dealt with practice. Just going through the calls, going through the formations, going through the reads, just being a veteran. It’s all part of learning, you’re never too old to learn, you’re never too young to learn, just learn consistently and do what I can.

Q: I heard you were in front of the DBs today talking?A: It all starts in practice. I’m not a fan of injuries, I’m not a fan of them now, even if it’s myself, but those guys are going to hold it down, I know that. All those guys are professionals and leaders. Yesterday at practice it seemed to me like they did a good job and you know they’re going to continue. When I get back we’re just going to continue to pick up hits.